For 2 hours on Saturday night over 200 people watched in delight as the children of Jasper performed the Children of Autumn. Jasper singer and the play’s writer Grace Kohn along with musician and composer Greg Deagle ‘graced’ stage left while the troupe of children in costume and masks walked the audience through an enactment of mother and daughter rediscovering the innocence of youth.
A mother finds herself drawn by her daughter to experience feelings and situations that as an adult we have developed ways of avoiding. The first feeling they experience – on a cautious journey into a dream created by a whimsical forest, forest creatures and masks – is that of folly. A lively forest sprite frolics before the child and her mom to the childs delight – but as most adults the mother cannot accept such ‘folly’ and becomes more interested in getting home…and the enchantment continues until the masks are removed…
The masks the girl and her mom meet in the enchanted forest lead each person watching in their own interpretation…I must say, the performance of the distressed mom facing her masks led to more than one emotion in most viewers. Grace has created this delightful tribute, to revisiting the innocence of childhood through dance and song, in efforts to raise money to purchase and supply free hypebaric oxygen sessions to children with disabilities in Jasper.
Not going to give it away – the play is completely scripted and composed. It is hoped that other communities will wish to host the production in their town. Check out the Children of Autumn website to support the cause or to bring this exciting program to your community!